Mustang Monthly

Everyone was cool and smiling during our Back to School days even though a heatwave forced early dismissals and challenged everyone. The Class of 2022 and transfer students began on September 4, and the entire student body returned on September 5. Welcome back to everyone; faculty, staff, administration and students are ready for another successful Year of the Mustang!

 

New International Students Enjoy IHS Summer Camp

Nine new international students in grades 9 and 10 began their Immaculate High School journey by attending the IHS International Student Summer Camp on August 27-30. During the camp the new students met current IHS international and domestic students, learned more about American culture, discovered Immaculate's 44 clubs and activities and 32 athletic teams, finalized their class schedules and became familiar with the IHS campus.

The students were also treated to a traditional American meal at the Red Robin Restaurant and got to explore the Danbury Fair Mall, play basketball and go to NYC to see The School of Rock on Broadway, grab a slice at John's Pizzeria and explore Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. At the summer camp the students also met many of Immaculate's faculty and staff members and learned about IHS' Catholic Identity and all the school has to offer, and that Immaculate is high school as high school should be. Welcome to our new International Students!

 

Back to School Mass

On Friday, September 7, a Back to School Mass was held for the students and faculty/staff of Immaculate High School. The Mass was celebrated by Father James Cole and Deacon Jeff Font.

 

Honors Mass

On Sunday, September 16, an Honors Mass was held at IHS to celebrate those students who earned a spot on the IHS Honor Roll for the second semester of the 2017-18 school year. The students were treated to a breakfast sponsored by the Immaculate Parents Association.

 

Awareness Program - "Choices Matter"

Several times a year, Immaculate High School sponsors an Awareness Program Assembly to educate students about the dangers of alcohol, drugs, vaping, drunk driving, bullying, stress, etc. and to motivate them to be the best they can be in all aspects of their life. On September 14 Chris Sandy returned to address the students about the ramifications of drunk driving, including taking the lives of others, in his program "Choices Matter." Mr. Sandy is a nationally-known motivational speaker, life coach and author and was featured in the Emmy award-winning television documentary "Enduring Regret: Chris Sandy's Living Life After Causing Death." For more information about Mr. Sandy and his program, go to www.chrissandy.com. Future Awareness Program Assemblies will focus on bullying, smoking and vaping, and breaking the cycle of violence (racism, school violence, promoting self-respect).

 

Immaculate Facilities Improvements Welcomed By All

This summer Immaculate High School was renovated in certain areas to improve security, aesthetics and functionality. The projects were overseen by Facilities Manager Bart Vos Winkel '75, who continues to make sure the building and grounds are kept sparkly clean, up to code and appealing to all. These improvements complement IHS' efforts to keep the school modernized, such as complete renovations to the physics and chemistry lab classrooms in the past two years. Some of the projects this year included:

• A touch screen in the main lobby that allows everyone to learn about Immaculate award-winning athletic programs.
• The Dining Hall was retrofitted with new flooring, lighting, ceilings and furniture featuring café-style seating, all allowing for a more relaxing and socializing-friendly dining experience.
• A new rear outdoor patio that allows for serene outdoor dining and gathering. Thank you to Greg Horan '72 for donating the patio furniture and mulch for the project!
• Windows were replaced in the first floor classrooms as well as the Dining Hall.

Athletic News: Team Updates

The 2018-2019 school year is officially underway, and our student-athletes are happy to be back participating in their sports and representing Immaculate High School. Athletics has already shown early success this school year and strives for it to continue for the remainder of the Fall season. Our Fall sports program has a history of competing at high levels, and our student-athletes look to keep that tradition strong in their quest to win South West Conference (SWC) Championships.

Both our field hockey and girls soccer teams entered this season as defending SWC Champions and are on track to retain their title. Field hockey came back strong with their 6-0 start. They currently sit first place in the Patriot Division and look to stay there for the remainder of the season. The field hockey team recently had a 1-0 victory over New Milford in a rematch of last year's South-West Conference semifinal, which Immaculate won in quadruple overtime. Molly Coyle '20 scored five minutes in off an assist from Morgan Begler '21, and goalkeeper Lauren Oskam '20 earned her fourth shutout. One of the team's biggest victories yet came when they defeated Norwich Free Academy 9-0 on September 22.

Girls soccer has also had a strong start, currently sitting third in the Patriot Division with a 2-1 league record and 3-1-1 overall. Both Coach Mingachos of girls soccer and Coach Horosky of field hockey have great reputations of getting their teams to postseason play, and look to put their student-athletes in a position this year to compete for the SWC Championship as well as the State title.

Volleyball has also had a strong start by placing second in the Patriot Division with a 3-2 record. Alissa Brugnatelli '20 has led the way with her serving, while Finan Deakin '19 and Gabrielle Rynne '20 have been a force on the front line with their blocking and hitting. After winning against Kolbe Cathedral and winning 3-2 twice against Bethel, Coach Monica Ortega and the girls have proved that they are a contender for the SWC Championship.

Both boys and girls cross country have also had great starts to their season, as both sit first in the Patriot DIvision. Girls cross country has a 5-0 record, while the boys have a 4-1 record. While each team is a contender to win the SWC Championship, the girls also face the pressure of defending their State title as well. Coach Hayes is extremely pleased with how the season has started, and looks for his teams to make some noise in the SWC and State Championships. That is a strong possibility, as both teams had outstanding performances at the Manchester Invitational in New Hamphsire on September 23. The girls team placed first in the Small School Division and had the third fastest overall team out of nearly 100 teams! Individually, the girls had four runners in the Top 25 with Angela Saidman'19 leading the way with a 6th place finish, followed by Taylor Mascetta '19, Kaitlyn Segreti '21 and Natalie Dudas '19. The boys team placed an impressive 7th out of 47 teams in the Small Schoool race and were led by Drew Mitchell '20, Ryan McNerney '20, James Sullivan '20, Parker McKenzie '19 and Logan Plaisted '19.

ATI Football has had a strong start to their season as well. After a tough Week 1 loss to Cheney Tech, the boys bounced back against Vinal Tech with a 42-24 victory. Against Vinal, captain Matt Christe '19 had three touchdowns, one on a fumble recovery and two rushing. CJ Cianflone '20 also had two throwing touchdowns, one to wide receiver Tommy Fahey '21. Then at their first homegame in Mustang Valley, the team defeated Prince Tech 14-12. After these strong performances, the boys are optimistic about the remainder of the season and feel they can accomplish their goal to be league champions. Don't miss the Homecoming game under the lights on Friday, October 19!!

Boys soccer is 1-4 after a good, solid win against Stratford 4-2 on September 17. Coach Steve Carneiro will encourage the boys towards more wins this season as they get a better foot on the ball.

The girls swim and diving co-op team with Bethel High School keeps giving it their best efforts and look forward to making a splash in the State competition and more. At the September 22 Catholic School Invitational meet held at the University of Saint Joseph in Hartford, Cheyanne James '19 qualified for Class L States after winning the 100 yard butterfly and Devin McGovern '21 qualified for Class L States in the 100 yard backstroke. Additionally, Lauren Petta '20 won the 500 yard freestyle and Cheyanne James, Lauren Petta, Aislin Blair '19 and Kristen Lefebvre '19 won the 400 yard free relay swim event.
 

IHS Student-Athletes Named "Ones to Watch," "Emerging Stars"

 

Immaculate High School is blessed to have many talented student-athletes. Recently, the CIAC and SWC highlighted several of our student-athletes "to watch this season" for their athletic skills. Congratulations to:

SWC:

The IHS boys soccer team is one of five teams to watch.
Quinn Guth '20 is one of five boys soccer players to watch, part of a "next wave of stars set to emerge."
https://www.newstimes.com/highschool/article/SWC-B...

The girls soccer team tied for fourth place in a coach's poll of the ten best teams in their SWC class.
https://patch.com/connecticut/danbury/immaculate-h...


 

CIAC:

Angela Saidman '19 was named one of the 25 high school cross country runners to watch this season.
https://www.gametimect.com/25-ciac-girls-cross-cou...

Kayla Mingachos '19 was named one of the 25 high school girls soccer players to watch this season.
https://www.gametimect.com/25-ciac-girls-soccer-pl...

Madison Halas '19 was named one of the 25 high school field hockey players to watch this season.
https://www.gametimect.com/field-hockey-25-players...

The IHS girls field hockey team placed 8th in an initial poll of high school field hockey coaches. The team opened the season by outscoring opponents 23-1 in four straight victories.
https://patch.com/connecticut/danbury/immaculate-m...